SPORTS Minister Justin Tkatchenko says he is disappointed with Papua New Guinea Kumuls coach Mal Meninga’s decision to be the Australia Kangaroo coach. Tkatchenko, who was instrumental in getting PNG rugby league back on track after a tumultuous period from 2008 to 2011, said he would not comment further on the issue until he received a full briefing from PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka and his chief executive officer Bob Cutmore later in the week.​“I’m personally disappointed at the news that Mal has decided to become the new Kangaroos coach because we worked hard to get him here to work with PNGRFL,” Tkatchenko said.“I pushed strongly to get him here to help bring some credibility to the game in PNG after so much of in-fighting by past administrations.”Tkatchenko attested to the fact that the former Queensland Maroons coach had done a “fabulous job” in the early stages of the Team Kumul programme to get the game back on track.

He said Meninga had put his name behind the bid by the PNG Hunters to enter the Intrust Super Cup competition in Queensland.“Though I am disappointed, I want to thank him for what he has done and the assistance in getting the Hunters into the Queensland Cup.

“I want to wish him well in his new job as Australia Kangaroo coach,” he said.Cutmore confirmed that Meninga had emailed him this week stating that he planned to formerly resign but did not say when. Tsaka when contacted yesterday told The National that he would comment later today.Tkatchenko said Meninga had decided to accept the vacant Kangaroos coaching position on a four-year deal worth A$300,000 (K600,000) per annum but needed to formerly severe ties with the PNGRFL by resigning.

“He has mustered a good A$300,000 deal with the Australian Rugby League to coach the Kangaroos. That’s his prerogative, however, he can’t be the coach of two countries which is what he is currently and therefore he needs to resign as Kumul coach,” Tkatchenko said.“Once the PNGRFL receives his resignation letter, the PNGRFL board then will then seek a replacement,” he said.According to Cutmore, Meninga’s contract was drawn up by his legal team in Australia and had provisions that allowed the 55-year-old to take up another coaching job and resign from his PNGRFL position.Cutmore stressed that the PNGRFL could not terminate Meninga’s contract as they would be liable to pay out his full term (up to 2018) because of the conditions therein.He would not disclose the contract’s worth said the PNGRFL did owe Meninga “some money”.Meninga’s contract was to oversee the Team Kumul programme including coaching the team for five years (2014-2018). The National/PNGfacts